How do I calculate annual pay from an hourly rate including casual loading?

Use the timesheet on our site. Enter your base hourly rate (do not include casual loading). Check the 'add 25% casual loading' box. The calculator then shows the casual rate, then multiplies by 38 hours per week and 52 weeks to give annual gross. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings and paid on top.

What is the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026?

The Fair Work Commission set the National Minimum Wage at $26.44 per hour, $1004.90 per week for 38 hours. With 25% casual loading, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour. Super guarantee of 12% is paid on top of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Does the calculator include tax and Medicare?

Yes, the take-home pay estimate uses the 2026–27 resident tax scale (nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above) and the Medicare levy of 2%. It does not deduct HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. The result is an estimate only.

Minimum Wage Increase 2026: Casual Loading and Super Paid on Top: Hourly to Annual Pay Guide

For a 38-hour week, annual gross equals hourly rate × 38 × 52, with super paid on top and casual loading added separately.

Understanding Your Pay: Hourly to Annual Conversion

Whether you're negotiating a salary, comparing job offers, or budgeting for the year, converting an hourly rate to an annual figure is a fundamental skill. In Australia, the standard full-time week is 38 hours, and the formula is straightforward: annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This article explains how to apply that formula, what the minimum wage increase 2026 means for your pay, and how casual loading and superannuation (paid on top) affect the total.

The Basic Formula and When We Assume 38 Hours

For a full-time employee working 38 hours every week, the calculation is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, if your hourly rate is $30.00:

$30.00 × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year

This assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. If you work different hours, adjust the 'hours per week' figure accordingly. The formula also works for part-time or casual employees – just use your actual average weekly hours.

The Minimum Wage Increase 2026 and Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission increased the National Minimum Wage to $26.44 per hour, which equates to $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. However, most employees are covered by an industry or occupation award, which often sets higher minimum rates. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award has different rates for levels 1 to 8. Always check the relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use our pay guides to find the correct classification.

Casual employees receive a loading of 25% on top of the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). Remember: when using our timesheet, you enter your base hourly rate and tick the casual loading checkbox – do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top of Ordinary Earnings

Super guarantee is currently 12% of an employee's ordinary earnings, paid by the employer on top of the salary or wage. It is not deducted from your hourly rate. For the 2026–27 year, the maximum contribution base is $270,830 – meaning super is only required on earnings up to that amount. Using the formula:

Super contribution = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 × 12%

For a full-time employee on the National Minimum Wage ($26.44/hour):

Annual ordinary earnings = $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,261.44
Super = $52,261.44 × 12% = $6,271.37 (paid on top, so total cost to employer is $58,532.81)

If you are casual, the super is calculated on the casual rate (including loading) because that is your ordinary earnings. For the casual minimum wage rate of $33.05/hour:

Annual ordinary earnings = $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,306.80
Super = $65,306.80 × 12% = $7,836.82

Fortnightly Pay and Take-Home Estimates

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply double your weekly pay. For the National Minimum Wage:

Weekly: $1,004.90
Fortnightly: $2,009.80

After tax and Medicare, your take-home pay will be lower. Our take-home pay calculator uses the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil tax on first $18,200
15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). For a full-time worker on the minimum wage ($52,261.44):

Taxable income: $52,261.44
Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on next $26,800 (to $45,000): $4,020
Tax on remaining $7,261.44 (to $52,261.44): $2,178.43
Total tax: $6,198.43
Medicare levy (2% of $52,261.44): $1,045.23
Net annual pay: $52,261.44 - $6,198.43 - $1,045.23 = $45,017.78
Fortnightly net: $45,017.78 ÷ 26 = $1,731.45

This is an estimate – it does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Using the Timesheet and Reference Tables

Our timesheet, the home page, lets you enter your base hourly rate and toggle casual loading. It then shows:

Hourly rate (with or without loading)
Weekly pay (× 38)
Fortnightly pay (× 2)
Annual gross (× 52)
Estimated super (12% on top)
Estimated tax and Medicare
Estimated annual net pay

For a quick reference, see our reference tables for common hourly rates and their annual equivalents. You can also explore average pay data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 show full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (annualised: $108,352.40). All employees total earnings (including part-time) average $1,579.20 per week ($82,118.40 per year). Remember these are averages, not medians for a specific job.

Key Distinctions: National Minimum Wage, Awards, Casual Loading, and Super

National Minimum Wage: The legal floor set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026: $26.44/hour, $1,004.90/week for 38 hours.
Award rates: Higher minimums for specific industries/occupations. Check your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Casual loading: 25% added to the base rate for casual employees. Enter your base rate in the timesheet and tick the box – do not type a rate that already includes loading.
Super guarantee: 12% of ordinary earnings paid by the employer on top, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For personalised calculations, use our timesheet, explore super and packaging options, or see hourly conversion for more examples. If you need to know the minimum wage for your job, visit the minimum wage page. For award-specific rates, refer to job pay or casual loading.